Chapter 21:
- Helena… are you crying? – She heard Dante's worried voice trying to wake her up – What's wrong?
She slowly opened her eyes not understanding what he was talking about, but then she felt her face was wet from tears, which made her remember the dream she just had. She just stared at Dante while he tried to wipe the tears from her face, a pained expression flashed across his features.
- You regret it, don't you? – he asked with a hint of sadness in his voice
- Regret it?
She started to think about what happened the previous night, and was probably beginning to blush just thinking about it, but that wasn't the reason why she had been crying, it was because she had to say farewell to her mother.
- I dreamt with my mother that's all… it felt so real, like it was really her speaking to me
- Really? Well, it can happen, when I was on my quest to defeat Mundus, my mother talked to me too, I don't know how that works though
- I didn't know that was even possible, she told me she couldn't communicate with me until the curse was broken
- I see… - He guessed most of the stuff they talked about was private and he didn't want to be nosey so he decided it was better not to ask about their conversation - So… you don't regret what happened?
- Of course not – she told him with a smile
Dante's concerned expression quickly changed to his usual cocky smirk.
- I think the whole neighborhood heard us, they all probably know what's my name now – he said chuckling remembering the previous night
- Sorry… - she said shyly
- Don't be, they'll just have to get used to it cause you've unleashed the beast in me and I won't be so gentle next time
Helena bit her lip trying to hold back a smile when she heard that, Dante noticed that and a devilish grin formed on his face before he abruptly got up and lifted her, carrying her over his right shoulder.
- What are you doing?! – she exclaimed surprised because they we're still naked
- I'm going to take a shower, thought you might wanna join me – he said with the smirk still on his face and closing the bathroom door behind him
The next few days Helena dedicated most of her free time to study her mother's book. She was really interested in learning the memory spells as they could turn out to be very useful. While studying she learned that this kind of magic was angelic, while the one that required blood sacrifice was demonic magic and was a little bit more complicated to learn. Since she had no idea how to do any kind of magic she was going to start with the most basic spells.
During those days, not much else happened, except for one thing. In what could be called a wicked twist of fate, Dante began having horrible nightmares almost every day, he would wake up in the middle of the night panting and sweating, sometimes even screaming. Helena would try to comfort him, but for the first time she could see pure fear in his eyes, which was something so out of character for him. Every time she would ask about his nightmares he would lie and tell her that he couldn't remember what they were about. She knew he was lying, but never pushed him to tell her because she feared his nightmares were about her. Dante tried to pretend like it wasn't a big deal and everything was fine, but his actions showed otherwise, he began sleeping less and less to the point where he would actually stay awake almost all night, but would eventually end up falling asleep. Helena always tried to stay awake to wake him up if she noticed he was having a nightmare, it was the least she could do after he did the same for her around a month before.
One afternoon, when she felt like she had studied enough, it was finally time to test her abilities, so she approached Dante who was lying on the couch lazily looking through an old magazine.
- Dante, I need you to do me a favor
- Sure, what is it about?
- You know I've been studying my mother's book this past few days and you see… I need someone to test the spells on….
- What?! – He shouted as he jolted up from the couch - You want me to be your lab rat?!
- You don't have to call it that, but yeah I guess… - she noticed Dante was beginning to get kind of nervous – Don't worry, I've studied the book carefully, I promise it'll be okay
- Isn't playing with magic dangerous or something?
- Very
- Well then forget it, what if you accidentally wipe my memory completely?
- I'll try something small first, I want to make you remember about the day we met as kids, it's very simple since it's a specific event. Please – She asked again in the tone of voice she knew he couldn't say no to
Dante sighed in defeat, there he was, being a pushover once again. To be fair, his memory was already very fucked up so he guessed it couldn't really get any worse, also he actually wanted to remember that day too.
- Fine – He agreed - I trust you, what do I have to do?
- Nothing, just lay on the bed and relax, I'll put you to sleep – she replied slightly pushing him towards the bed
- Wait what? Put me to sleep? How are you even going to do that? Besides, I don't want to sleep right now
- There's a spell for that too, but the book says it only works if your mind is either really troubled or really calmed, so relax, and don't worry you won't have nightmares while I'm working on your memory
- Ok… don't make me regret this – He said lying on the bed – I better get a nice reward when I wake up – He continued winking at her
- Shut up and relax
Dante tried to stop thinking about all the things that could possibly go wrong and just keep his mind blank. Helena started murmuring something he couldn't understand and he saw how her hands began glowing. He nervously swallowed as he felt her fingers on his temples and just seconds later he began feeling very dizzy and his eyes getting really heavy to the point he couldn't keep them open anymore. It felt as if he was being doped and before he knew it he was surrounded by darkness.
After what seemed like a few seconds he finally managed to open his eyes once again.
- Ha! Your spell didn't wor… Where the hell am I?! – he exclaimed realizing he wasn't in his bed anymore but was in the passenger seat of a ridiculously luxurious car
He looked to his left and his eyes widened in surprise when he saw the man that was driving, seeing him almost gave him a jump scare.
- No fucking way! Sparda? – Dante asked in disbelieve
It became obvious the man couldn't hear him and as Dante reached out his arm to get his attention, he realized he couldn't touch anything in there. As a matter of fact, he was pretty sure his body wasn't even actually in contact with the car seat. He was thinking about the logic of that when his thoughts were interrupted the moment he heard a boy's voice coming from the backseat.
- Where are we going dad? – the voice made Dante turn around to see who it was
And he saw himself as a kid sitting next to Vergil who was the one that spoke. He couldn't help but glare at the sight of Vergil, even if he was just a child in there. He also noticed that his seven year old self was silently crying in one corner of the car.
- We're going to a friend's house, hopefully she'll help us – Sparda replied worriedly – She is Nephilim like you
- Did you hear that Dante? – Vergil told his brother placing a hand on his shoulder trying to comfort him – Someone is going to help us, don't cry
Adult Dante was really shocked to see that, but if Helena was trying to make him change his mind about Vergil by showing him the good side of him when they were still a family, well it wasn't going to work. So he just crossed his arms and turned again, he was beginning to get mad about being trapped in his own memory.
- Great! I'm stuck in a car with Sparda and Vergil! This is almost as bad as my nightmares! I told you not to make me regret this! – He started shouting, maybe Helena could hear him somewhere, wherever she was – Get me out of here!
He kept on shouting and cursing the whole way until the car finally stopped in front of a big house, not as big as his childhood home but still one could tell it was a wealthy neighborhood.
- We arrived – Sparda said turning the engine off and getting out of the car
Dante tried opening the car's door forgetting that he couldn't actually touch anything.
- Right – he muttered feeling like an idiot as he just went right through the door and saw Vergil getting out of the car as well
- Come on Dante, let's go – Vergil said with a worried expression
Dante looked inside the car through the window and saw his younger self just sitting there looking into space, completely ignoring his twin, it was very sad seeing the boy in this almost catatonic state.
- Wow, I was fucked up as a kid – Dante said to himself
But as the memories of that day were coming back, he remembered how much his mother's death had affected him, and he knew that this was the morning after she was killed, so he guessed the boy's behavior was understandable.
- And of course, cold-ass Vergil doesn't even shed a tear over mother – He said glaring at the white haired boy – You were always a heartless dick
Noticing his son wasn't planning on getting out of the car by himself, Sparda approached the car again and opened the door closest to the kid.
- Dante… please – he said carrying the boy and closing the car door behind him.
With Dante in his arms Sparda began walking towards the front door. Adult Dante was about to follow them but heard Vergil muttering something behind him. He turned to look at the boy, who seemed to be about to burst into tears.
- I can't… I have to be the strong one… if Dante sees me sad then he'll get worse – the white haired kid said taking a deep breath and regaining his composure before running towards his father and taking his hand
This really took Dante by surprise, maybe Vergil wasn't so heartless after all… but still nothing was going to make him change his mind about him. He followed the kid and made his way to the front door too. By the time he got there a little girl had already opened it and was just staring at Sparda in amazement.
- Helena? – Dante asked immediately recognizing her
He remembered the story she told him when she came back to life, it was exactly like this. Then Helena's mother would appear and tell them to come in, and that's what happened the next second. The rest of the events went just as she had described them. Helena was indeed a very sweet person even as a child, innocently trying to cheer him, Vergil and their father up, and it was working since the boys seemed to be happy while being around her. He managed to see even more things than what Helena told him as her story ended after her mother worked on the spell that would erase their memories the next day, but his vision continued after that.
To be honest, he never really liked children that much but he couldn't help smiling while watching himself and Helena playing together. However, seeing all of this was also very tough, more than he would like to admit, because it made him remember that there was a time in which he really loved his brother, he trusted him more than anyone else and he knew he could rely on him for almost everything; and thinking about the monster Vergil had become now filled him with pain, the hate he felt for him was still there but now it was mixed with something else, it felt like he was grieving over someone who wasn't even dead and someone he was going to have to kill with his own hands, but will he be able to? Could he kill his own brother?
- He is not my brother anymore… Vergil's gone forever – Dante tried to repeat to himself – He killed Kat, he almost killed Helena… I have to kill him, there's no other way…
He was snapped out of his own thoughts when he saw his younger self running past him looking very excited. They were all in Helena's room and Dante began running towards her when he saw her pulling something out of a huge toy box.
- Cool! You have toy swords too! – He said sounding thrilled – But aren't they a little small?
- It's because they're not swords Dante – Vergil intervened – They're daggers
- You are so smart Vergil! – Helena told him brightly beaming at him
Vergil smiled back at her with a hint of pink on his cheeks. Seeing how Helena seemed to be impressed by his brother annoyed the dark haired boy for some reason and he quickly got in between them as he grabbed one of the toy daggers.
- But they can work as swords – He said pointing the toy at his twin – I challenge you to a fight
- Uh… no – Vergil replied simply – You just want to show off for her
- Oh come on Verge! Do you want Helena to think you're a chicken? – Dante began taunting his brother
Watching that scene made Dante remember that despite loving his brother back in the day, they also competed all the time, which, as much as he hated to admit it, used to be a lot of fun.
- Fine – Vergil agreed grabbing the other dagger and trying to hide the fact that he was blushing even more now
- I'll win for you – the dark haired boy told Helena with an arrogant smirk on his face which earned him a huge smile from the little girl
She sat on the carpet as she watched amused at the boys playing. After a few minutes Vergil's dagger went flying and he fell to the floor while Dante held his weapon forward and pointed the tip at his face.
- I win – He said happily and then helped Vergil get back up – As always
Helena also got up and walked to them, it was clear by Vergil's face that he felt bad for losing. Apparently that was something that happened way too often and she immediately felt bad for him.
- Don't worry Vergil – she told him patting his back – You'll beat Dante one day
- Hey! – Dante exclaimed looking at her – You're supposed to be on my side!
- We are all on the same side Dante – Vergil replied in a serious tone before Helena could say anything – We are the only ones of our kind, we have to look out for each other
Hearing that made adult Dante laugh almost hysterically at the irony of his statement.
- Same side my ass! – He shouted angrily even though he knew no one in the room could hear him – You didn't help her when she needed you! And then you almost killed her!
In that moment Vergil suddenly grabbed his brother by the wrist.
- Excuse us one second – he told Helena as he dragged Dante to the other side of the room – Dante, I have the feeling something awful is going to happen
- Yeah we are going to have our memories erased by tomorrow
- I'm not talking about that – Vergil said almost whispering – I'm talking about her – He continued as he slyly looked at the girl
- Helena? – Dante asked looking at her too - What about her? She's nice
- I know, that's why I'm worried… I think her and her family are going to get in a lot of trouble for helping us
- Trouble with who?
- The same demon that killed mother… - Vergil said with a very serious look on his face
Dante's face filled with horror just imagining that monster hurting Helena.
- No! We can't let that happen! – he shouted
- Shhh! She has her mother to protect her for now, but sadly I don't think that's going to be for too long… she said it's possible for us to get our memories back, when that happens we have to find her and make sure she's save, it's the least we can do for her
Dante nodded in response with a determined look in his eyes. Adult Dante felt Vergil's worry about Helena was genuine, which made him wonder if by the time they teamed up to defeat Mundus he could actually remember her and purposely never mentioned her in front of him. It always appeared to him that Vergil had somehow managed to recover most, if not all, of his memory so he probably already remembered Helena before becoming corrupted and for whatever reason decided to hide her from him.
While he was thinking about that he didn't realize that everything was disappearing, fading into light. Then, new images began forming, it was morning once again and everyone was gathered in the house's living room.
- I'm going to miss you – Helena said with a few tears running down her small face
- Don't be sad! – Dante told her in a comforting tone – You said it yourself, we'll meet again one day
- Yes, we'll come find you once we recover our memory – Vergil reassured her – We promise
- I'll be waiting - She nodded and hugged them both at the same time, putting her arms around their necks as they hugged her back tightly
Sparda and Assiel smiled at the sweet sight. He then knelt in front of Helena and patted her head lightly.
- Don't ever stop being the sweet, wonderful little girl you are – Sparda told her before getting up – And thank you Assiel for everything, I hope one day I can repay you
Assiel just shook her head as she struggled not to cry, knowing that was probably going to be the last time she would ever see Sparda. And with that, they went back into the car. Both twins waved Helena goodbye as their father began driving away.
- I'm gonna miss her – Dante told his brother with a sad look on his face
- Me too – Vergil replied as he turned to look into the house one last time
Dante noticed Sparda was driving back into Limbo city, even if he couldn't remember what was going to happen next, he knew where they were going, and the boys seemed to know too as a dark atmosphere soon filled the car. The vehicle eventually stopped outside an orphanage, it wasn't the place where he grew up so this was probably where Vergil was left. They got out of the car as a young woman came out to receive them and Sparda approached her and they began discussing something. Looking back at it, it was pretty obvious Sparda was using some kind of demonic charm on the woman to probably avoid doing all the paperwork required. The fact that Sparda looked like a slightly older version of his sons didn't hurt in accomplishing the task, it was almost as if he was hypnotizing her.
- This is it… I'm really going to miss you Dante – Vergil told his brother with a sad voice
- I'm gonna miss you too Verge – he replied with a couple of tears running down his face
The white haired boy tried to give his brother a smile before hugging him tightly.
- You have to be strong Dante, remember what Helena said, one day I'm going to find you no matter what, we are going to kill that bastard Mundus and then we'll find Helena back, everything's going to be fine
Dante just nodded as he wiped the tears from his face.
- Too bad things didn't go as planned – Adult Dante muttered with bitterness
Sparda and the woman approached them and Vergil hugged his father goodbye. The man looked completely devastated as the lady took Vergil's hand and they began walking towards the building. But before entering, Vergil turned around and Dante saw him doing the one thing he never thought he would do, even as a kid, Vergil's face was completely covered in tears as he waved his brother goodbye.
- Take care – was the last thing Vergil said before disappearing
Dante saw his younger self bursting into tears and he began feeling pretty damn sad himself. He wanted to yell at himself and tell the kid to stop crying and man up, but he realized in shock that he was crying too, and then the harsh truth hit him like a bullet, he missed Vergil.
- Let's go Dante – Sparda said trying to grab the boy's hand
- No! – He shouted in response pushing his father away – Why are doing this to us?! Why are you ditching us like garbage?
- Dante… don't say that… this… this is the only way, I…
- I hate you! Everything is your fault! It's your fault that mother is dead! You were supposed to protect her! And you couldn't… you even put Helena's family in danger
- Dante, don't do this to me please, I had no choice – Sparda said with anguish and guilt written all over his face as he tried to approach his son
- Get away from me! The thing that killed mother was a demon… Just like you! – The boy shouted full of hatred - I hate you! I hate you!
Dante could see in Sparda's face and eyes the agony that the boy's words were causing him.
- Dante! Dante, wake up!
He heard Helena's echoed voice calling him and he saw how everything was disappearing again. He suddenly opened his eyes and found himself back in his bed, he realized that what he felt in the vision was real because he had tears on his face and Helena was staring at him with a worried expression. She had seen everything and had perceived the pain in his heart while recovering that memory so she thought it was better to wake him up.
- Don't ever mess with my memory again – he said getting up quickly whipping the tears away from his face
Helena knew exactly why he was so irritated.
- You miss him – she muttered
- No! I don't miss anyone! – he replied angrily
Of course he wasn't going to admit it and the fact that he was so mad only meant that she was right. She also understood now a little bit more why Dante always seemed to resent his father, and why he has a hard time accepting his demonic side; it was so sad that the last minutes Sparda had with his son were of Dante yelling how much he hated him.
- Your father is proud of you – She told him remembering what her mother told her in the dream
Dante's eyes began filling with tears once again as he simply walked away and locked himself in the bathroom and trashed it in a fit of anger. Everything was just too much for him, no matter what he did, no matter how hard he tried, he always ended up losing what meant everything to him. Why did his life have to be like this? Everyone he ever loved or cared about ended up dead or leaving him, his mother, then his brother and father. Helena was the only one he had left and even then, every day he was reminded in his nightmares that he was going to lose her too, just like everyone else.